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Manchester United eyeing 20-year-old who could replace Harry Maguire

Originally posted on We All Follow United
By Rohit Sarkar | Last updated Jul 26, 2025 8:01 PM ET

Manchester United are targeting Eivind Helland in the summer transfer window

Last season added another embarrassing chapter to Manchester United’s history. Finishing 15th in the Premier League was nothing short of a nightmare. We also lost in the Europa League final, and that too against opponents like Spurs. What was even more disappointing was that the club will not play in any European competition next season. Ruben Amorim may have come in the middle of the season, but the situation had deteriorated so much that he could not change much.

The club have lacked a clear direction for the past few years. Ten Hag had a good start, but the rhythm soon broke. No proper planning, recruitment of players and unstable performance of the team kept bothering everyone. However, the beginning of this summer has given a ray of hope. Bringing players like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo indicates that the club are now moving towards a fast and direct style of playing. Bringing young Diogo Leon also seems to be a part of this thinking.

Eivind Helland could be part of a new project

With this in mind, the club are now also closely watching Norwegian defender Eivind Helland. According to a report in ‘The Sun‘, United’s scouts recently watched Brann’s 3-1 win over Viking Stavanger. The club are believed to be looking at him as a long-term alternative to Harry Maguire. Teams like Dortmund and Salzburg are also showing interest in this 20-year-old centre-back. Bayern Munich are also keeping tabs on him closely.

Helland is around 6 feet 4 inches tall, he is fast, has accuracy in passing, and he can play as a centre-back as well as right-back and defensive midfield. Such versatile players are necessary in Amorim’s system, where a back three or wing-back system is generally used. Initially, he may be part of the rotation, but in the long run, he can become the backbone of the team’s defense. The 20-year-old’s calm and grounded nature makes him special.

Betting on Helland is a sign of thoughtfulness, not risk

If the club sign Eivind Haaland, they will not be just bringing in a youngster; it will be a sign of faith in a project. Maguire is getting older, and Victor Lindelof is gone. Stability in the backline is a must. Helland has the qualities needed for the future—height, pace, a good passing game and a versatile role. Amorim needs players like these to bring his vision to life, and at £7-8 million, the deal is cheap, in keeping with INEOS’ buy smart’ policy.

However, it won’t be easy to get him. A club like Bayern Munich have a different appeal. They have the Champions League, a stable system and league dominance, but if United make the right move at the right time, Helland could be persuaded to be part of the project. Decisions like these are necessary if the club really wants change. Now is the time to move forward thoughtfully, not rash decisions, but real building.

This article first appeared on We All Follow United and was syndicated with permission.

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